Thanks for all the ideas. I knew about volunteer apperciation week, but with this being our first year I want to do more than just one big apprreciation. I have great news too, our fall fundraiser is coming to an end and it looks as though all our hard work has paid off!! We think our share of the profit will be apx. $9,000 considering all of last years attempts at fund raising only brought in about $2,000, we are very excited!! I think I will look into the flowers and dinner idea since we have a florist in town who loves to help the schools. Thanks!!
Local weekly papers absolutely love human interest stories. How about a picture with a little info to spotlight a volunteer weekly or monthly? Along with the spotlight, ask your local florist to donate a small arrangement and a local restaurant to donate a gift certificate (mention this in the spotlight and the businesses get free advertising and good PR too!)
May is Volunteer Appreciation Month (kinda funny how it corresponds with Teacher Appreciation), but you could perhaps ask teachers to contribute to a volunteer appreciation pot luck dinner or something with gifts donated by local businesses.
Great ideas posted here. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination!
There is an actual volunteer appreciation week. I think it's in April or May, and we send all of our volunteers a letter or certificate in the mail thanking them for everything they have done and a litttle present,like a pen or a volunteer pin. The money comes from our pto funds, and we have the principal sign the cards.
Our school did something absolutely wonderful for our volunteers at the end of last year. All volunteers were invited to a volunteer assembly, completely put together by the teachers, students, and the staff. One by one, each grade level (K-5) got up and recited a poem, sang a song, etc., to celebrate all of the people that had helped all year. There was not a dry eye in the place. It was great because a)it cost nothing but time and b) the kids, with their teachers help, were all saying thank you together. We then were invited back to the classrooms for donuts and juice. It was something I'll remember forever.
We started a VIP of the Week bulletin board. Each week I draw two names from all the volunteers who helped in the classrooms and activities and I put up their photo and a short biography(who their kids are, how they helped, hobbies, other organizations they help with, job, etc.) We have two bulletin boards-one in the front lobby and one by the cafeteria. People love it!! Plus by doing it so randomly, we are recognizing people from all different areas and levels of volunteering.
Cheap. I can do cheap, an afternoon tea with all the goodies brought in by your volunteers (they wouldn't feel right if they didn't help somehow ) and maybe have the kids perform for them.
A nice thank you card from the Board and if you can, a small gift donated for each parent. Maybe the school can help in someway too. Who knows! [img]smile.gif[/img]
) and maybe have the kids perform for them.